Toolbox

ABSTRACT

A toolbox includes first and second toolbox parts that are coupled pivotably to each other. Each of the first and second toolbox parts has first and second end openings that open in directions transverse to each other. The first and second toolbox parts are pivotable relative to each other between a first position, where the first end openings in the first and second toolbox parts open in the same direction and where the second end opening in said first toolbox part is registered with the second end opening in the second toolbox part, and a second position, where the first end openings in the first and second toolbox parts open away from each other.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a toolbox, more particularly to a toolbox that permits viewing of tools disposed therein.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional toolbox includes a casing and a transparent cover. The casing defines an accommodating space that receives a set of tools therein, and has an opening that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space. The transparent cover serves to cover the opening in the casing.

Although the conventional toolbox achieves its intended purpose, the conventional toolbox permits viewing of only a part of the tools.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a toolbox that permits viewing of every side of a tool disposed therein.

According to the present invention, a toolbox comprises first and second toolbox parts that are coupled pivotably to each other. Each of the first and second toolbox parts has first and second end openings that open in directions transverse to each other. The first and second toolbox parts are pivotable relative to each other between a first position, where the first end openings in the first and second toolbox parts open in the same direction and where the second end opening in the first toolbox part is registered with the second end opening in the second toolbox part, and a second position, where the first end openings in the first and second toolbox parts open away from each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the first preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an assembled top view to illustrate first and second toolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed at a first position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view to illustrate the first and second toolbox parts of the first preferred embodiment disposed at a second position;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary schematic view to illustrate a pivot unit of the first preferred embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the second preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is an assembled top view to illustrate first and second toolbox parts of the second preferred embodiment disposed at the first position;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view to illustrate the first and second toolbox parts of the second preferred embodiment disposed at a second position; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of the third preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before the present invention is described in greater detail, it should be noted that like elements are denoted by the same reference numerals throughout the disclosure.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention is shown to include first and second toolbox parts 4, 3.

The toolbox of this embodiment holds first and second sets of tools 10. Each of the tools 10 of the first and second sets includes a handle 101, and a shank 102 that extends from an end portion of the handle 101. In this embodiment, the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the first and second sets has a tip that fits into the head of a screw (not shown).

The first toolbox part 4 defines an accommodating space 40 that receives the handles 101 of the tools 10 of the first set therein, and has a first end opening 401 that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4, and six second end openings 402, each of which is in spatial communication with the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4 and opens in a direction transverse to the first end opening 401 in the first toolbox part 4. In this embodiment, the first toolbox part 4 is generally L-shaped, and has protruding and non-protruding portions 41, 42. Three of the second end openings 402 in the first toolbox part 4 are formed in the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4,and the remainder of the second end openings 402 in the first toolbox part 4 are formed in the non-protruding portion 42 of the first toolbox part 4.

The second toolbox part 3 defines an accommodating space 30 that receives the handles 101 of the tools 10 of the second set therein, and has a first end opening 301 that is in spatial communication with the accommodating space 30, and six second end openings 302, each of which is in spatial communication with the accommodating space 30 in the second toolbox part 3 and opens in a direction transverse to the first end opening 301 in the second toolbox part 3. In this embodiment, the second toolbox part 3 is generally L-shaped, and has protruding and non-protruding portions 31, 32. Three of the second end openings 302 in the second toolbox part 3 are formed in the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 3,and the remainder of the second end openings 302 in the second toolbox part 3 are formed in the non-protruding portion 32 of the second toolbox part 3.

The tool box further includes a pivot unit for coupling pivotably the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3. In this embodiment, the pivot unit includes first and second pivot pieces 51, 52, first and second sets of groove-defining walls 55, 56, and first and second sets of projections 53, 54.

Each of the first and second pivot pieces 51, 52 extends from a lateral side 421, 321 of then on-protruding portion 42, 32 of a respective one of the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3.

Each of the groove-defining walls 55 of the first set defines a circumferentially extending pivot groove 550, and is formed on a respective one of the first pivot piece 51 and lateral sides 411 of the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4.

Each of the projections 53 of the first set is formed on a respective one of the first pivot piece 51 and the lateral sides 411 of the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4, and is disposed proximate to an end of a respective one of the pivot grooves 550.

Each of the groove-defining walls 56 of the second set defines a circumferentially extending pivot groove 560, and is formed on a respective one of the second pivot piece 52 and lateral sides 311 of the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 4.

Each of the projections 54 of the second set is formed on a respective one of the second pivot piece 33 and the lateral sides 311 of the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 3, and is disposed proximate to an end of a respective one of the pivot grooves 560.

Each of the projections 53 of the first set extends into a respective one of the pivot grooves 560, and each of the projections 54 of the second set extends into a respective one of the pivot grooves 550.

The toolbox further includes first and second lids 46, 36, each of which serves to cover the first end opening 401, 301 in a respective one of the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3.

The first lid 46 is formed with three grooves 460. Each of the second end openings 402 in the non-protruding portion 42 of the first toolbox part 4 is in spatial communication with a respective one of the grooves 460 in the first lid 46 when the first lid 46 covers the first end opening 401 in the first toolbox part 4.

The second lid 36 is formed with three grooves 60. Each of the second end openings 302 in the non-protruding portion 32 of the second toolbox part 3 is in spatial communication with a respective one of the grooves 360 in the second lid 36 when the second lid 36 covers the first end opening 301 in the second toolbox part 3. The toolbox further includes first and second retaining units 47, 37 for retaining the handles 101 of the tools 10 of each of the first and second sets in the accommodating space 40, 30 in a respective one of the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3.

The first retaining unit 47 is disposed in the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4, is provided on the first toolbox part 4, and includes three pairs of opposing walls 471, each of which defines an insertion space 470 for receiving a free end portion of the handle 101 of a respective one of the tools 10 of the first set therein.

The second retaining unit 37 is disposed in the accommodating space 30 in the second toolbox part 3, is provided on the second toolbox part 3, and includes three pairs of opposing walls 371, each of which defines an insertion space 370 for receiving a free end portion of the handle 101 of a respective one of the tools 10 of the second set therein. The first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 are pivotable relative to each other between first and second positions.

At the first position, as best shown in FIG. 2, the first end openings 401, 301 in the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 open in the same direction. Moreover, each of the second end openings 402 in the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the non-protruding portion 32 of the second toolbox part 3. Moreover, each of the second end openings 402 in the non-protruding portion 42 of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 3. As such, the handle 101 of each of the tools 10 of the first set is received in the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4 and extends through a respective one of the second end openings 402 in the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4 and a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the non-protruding portion 32 of the second toolbox part 3, and the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the first set is disposed in a respective one of the grooves 360 in the second lid 36. On the other hand, the handle 101 of each of the tools 10 of the second set is received in the accommodating space 30 in the second toolbox part 3 and extends through a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 3 and a respective one of the second end openings 402 in the non-protruding portion 42 of the first toolbox part 4, and the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the second set is disposed in a respective one of the grooves 460 in the first lid 46.

At the second position, as best shown in FIG. 3, the first end openings 401, 301 in the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 open away from each other. As such, the handle 101 of each of the tools 10 of the first set is disposed in the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4 and extends through a respective one of the second end openings 402 in the protruding portion 41 of the first toolbox part 4, and the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the first set is disposed externally of the second lid 36. On the other hand, the handle 101 of each of the tools 10 of the second set is disposed in the accommodating space 30 in the second toolbox part 3 and extends through a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the protruding portion 31 of the second toolbox part 3, and the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the second set is disposed externally of the first lid 46. As such, the shanks 102 of the tools 10 of the first and second sets can be viewed at every side.

With further reference to FIG. 4, each of the pivot grooves 550, 560 is divided into groove sections by a plurality of spaced apart positioning members 80. The construction as such permits the first and second toolbox parts 4,3 to be retained at the first and second positions, and at different positions between the first and second positions.

In an alternative embodiment, the toolbox is dispensed with the first and second lids 46, 36. As such, when the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 are disposed at the first position, the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the first set is disposed in the accommodating space 30 in the second toolbox part 3, and the shank 102 of each of the tools 10 of the second set is disposed in the accommodating space 40 in the first toolbox part 4.

FIG. 5 illustrates the second preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention. When compared to the previous embodiment, each of the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 has alternately arranged three protruding portions 41′, 31′ and three non-protruding portions 42′, 32′. Each of the protruding portions 41′, 31′, and the non-protruding portions 42′, 32′ is formed with a respective one of the second end openings 402, 302.

When the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 are disposed at the first position, as best shown in FIG. 6, the first end openings 401, 301 in the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 open in the same direction. The second end opening 402 in each of the protruding portions 41′ of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with the second end opening 302 in a respective one of the non-protruding portions 32′ of the second toolbox part 3. Moreover, the second end opening 402 in each of the non-protruding portions 42′ of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with the second end opening 302 in a respective one of the protruding portions 31′ of the second toolbox part 3.

When the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 are disposed at the second position, as best shown in FIG. 7, the first end openings 401, 301 in the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 open away from each other.

FIG. 8 illustrates the third preferred embodiment of a toolbox according to the present invention. When compared to the previous embodiment, the first toolbox part 4 is generally T-shaped, and has one protruding portion 41″ and first and second non-protruding portions 42″.

The second toolbox part 3 is generally U-shaped, and has first and second protruding portions 31″ and a non-protruding portion 32″.

Each of the protruding portions 41″, 31″ and the non-protruding portions 42″, 32″ is formed with two of the second end openings 402, 302.

When the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 are disposed at the first position, the first end openings 401, 301 in the first and second toolbox parts 4, 3 open in the same direction. Each of the second end openings 402 in the protruding portion 41″ of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the non-protruding portion 32″ of the second toolbox part 3. Moreover, each of the second end openings 402 in the first non-protruding portion 42″ of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the first protruding portion 31″ of the second toolbox part 3. Further, each of the second end openings 402 in the second non-protruding portion 42″ of the first toolbox part 4 is registered with a respective one of the second end openings 302 in the second protruding portion 31″ of the second toolbox part 3.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what are considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

1. A toolbox, comprising: first and second toolbox parts coupled pivotably to each other, each of which having first and second end openings that open in directions transverse to each other, said first and second toolbox parts being pivotable relative to each other between a first position, where said first end openings in said first and second toolbox parts open in the same direction and where said second end opening in said first toolbox part is registered with said second end opening in said second toolbox part, and a second position, where said first end openings in said first and second toolbox parts open away from each other.
 2. The toolbox as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said first and second toolbox parts further has a protruding portion that is formed with said second end opening in said first toolbox part, and a non-protruding portion that is formed with said second end opening in said second toolbox part.
 3. The toolbox as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pivot unit for coupling pivotably said first and second toolbox parts, said pivot unit including a groove-defining wall that defines a circumferentially extending pivot groove and that is formed on said protruding portion of one of said first and second toolbox parts, and a projection that is provided on said protruding portion of the other of said first and second toolbox parts, and that extends into said pivot groove.
 4. The toolbox as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a pivot unit for coupling pivotably said first and second toolbox parts, said pivot unit including a pivot piece that extends from said non-protruding portion of one of said first and second toolbox parts, a groove-defining wall that defines a circumferentially extending pivot groove, and that is formed on one of said pivot piece and said protruding portion of the other of said first and second toolbox parts, and a projection that is provided on the other of said pivot piece and said protruding portion, and that extends into said pivot groove.
 5. The toolbox as claimed in claim 2, further comprising a lid for covering said first end opening in said second toolbox part, said lid being formed with a groove that is registered and that is in spatial communication with said second end opening in said non-protruding portion of said second toolbox part when said lid covers said first end opening in said second toolbox part.
 6. The toolbox as claimed in claim 5, further comprising a retaining unit disposed in said first toolbox part, provided on said first toolbox part, and adapted to retain a handle of a tool in said first toolbox part.
 7. The toolbox as claimed in claim 3, wherein said pivot unit further includes a plurality of spaced apart positioning members that divide said pivot groove into groove sections, thereby permitting retention of said first and second toolbox parts at different positions between the first and second positions.
 8. The toolbox as claimed in claim 4, wherein said pivot unit further includes a plurality of spaced apart positioning members that divide said pivot groove into groove sections, thereby permitting retention of said first and second toolbox parts at different positions between the first and second positions. 